Development Officer

About Us

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is a multi‑campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree‑granting public institution with five campuses in central Georgia and a fully‑online campus. MGA enrolls about 8,400 students from across the state and supports a diverse academic community through six academic schools, including Georgia’s flagship aviation program.

Job Title:

Development Officer

Location:

MGA – Macon

Employment Type:

Full‑time, Exempt (salaried), 12‑month position

At the MGA Foundation, we advance the university through dynamic fundraising initiatives. We seek a Development Officer to develop and implement strategies for identifying and securing major gifts. The successful candidate will oversee the major gifts program, proactively prospect and cultivate opportunities, and support the advancement of the university’s mission.

• Manage a portfolio of 125–150 major‑gift prospects and donors, guiding cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions for the university.
• Organize in‑person visits between prospects and key university personnel for relationship cultivation and solicitation.
• Conduct at least 150 personal visits annually.
• Devise personalized engagement plans for each prospect, including strategies of engagement and solicitation.
• Give presentations to communicate the university’s fundraising priorities and needs.
• Travel to visit donors within Georgia and neighboring states.
• Attend and participate in University Advancement meetings.
• Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors in the Raiser's Edge database, documenting all interactions timely and accurately.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Development.
• Assist with foundation and alumni events and projects.

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3–5 years managing high‑level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 and above.
• Familiarity with donor database, contact management and tracking systems, preferably Raiser's Edge.
• Knowledge of development and fundraising program principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of marketing principles and methods.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in soliciting and securing major gifts.
• Excellent organizational and project‑management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong collaboration skills with multiple constituencies.
• Competence in computer operation and job‑related software programs.
• Decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities.
• Interpersonal and public‑relations skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage an active portfolio of 125–150 major‑gift prospects throughout the development cycle.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and grow relationships with alumni, donors, friends, corporate partners, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to communicate well and build rapport quickly with donors, faculty, and colleagues.
• Willingness to be hands‑on in a demanding role requiring high energy and professionalism.

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life insurance
• Sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Middle Georgia State University is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the University community. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of protected status and provides lawful preferences for veterans where applicable. The University also upholds Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom in alignment with board policies.